ABSTRACT Patterned peatlands occupy a large portion of the Northen boreal region of Quebec, Canad... more ABSTRACT Patterned peatlands occupy a large portion of the Northen boreal region of Quebec, Canada. An obvious characteristic of peatlands is their great capacity to retain water. Indeed, a peatland may contain more than 70% of its volume in water. However, the rapid decrease of permeability with depth in peat soils suggests that a major part of the aquifer does not substantially contribute to the overall water movement and ensuing outflow. Given the current state of knowledge about these ecosystems, three questions can be formulated: (i) How does the water flow in patterned peatlands (piston flow, surface runoff)? (ii) Is there any mixing of water in the pools that may change the isotopic signal? (iii) Can the isotopic signal help identifying the origin of the water? To answer these questions, natural tracers (2H, 18O, DOC) and physical parameters (conductivity, temperature) are monitored in a patterned fen located in the Northern boreal region of Quebec. Preliminary results show that the summer flow is superficial and corresponds to a "piston flow"; and there is very little mixing of the water in the pools. However, because the isotopic signal is not uniform, it is difficult to separate the hydrograph and, thus, determine the various origins of the water.
3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with... more 3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with the basic objective of checking whether the model could reproduce the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on stream flows and soil water storage. The model was also used to further our understanding of the impact of soil hydrodynamic properties on watershed hydrology. Flows simulated by CATHY were consistent with traditional subsurface drainage approaches and, for wet years, flows at the outlet of the study watershed corroborated well with observed data. Temporal storage variation analyses illustrated that flows depended not only on the amount of rainfall, but also on its distribution throughout the year. Subsurface agricultural drainage increased base and total flows, and decreased peak flows. Hydrograph separation using simulated results indicated that exfiltration was the most dominant process; peak flows were largely characterized by overland flow; and subsurface drain flow variations were low.
Abstract. In North America, cranberry production is on the rise. Since 2005, land area dedicated ... more Abstract. In North America, cranberry production is on the rise. Since 2005, land area dedicated to cranberry doubled, principally in Canada. Recent studies have shown that sub-irrigation could lead to improvements in yield, water use efficiency and pumping energy requirements compared to conventional sprinkler irrigation. However, the experimental determination of the optimal water table level of each production site may be expensive and time-consuming. The primary objective of this study is to optimize the water table level as a function of typical soil properties, and climatic conditions observed in major production areas using a numerical modeling approach. The second objective is to evaluate the impacts of projected climatic conditions on water management of cranberry fields. To that end, cranberry-specific management operations such as harvest flooding, rapid drainage following heavy rainfall, or hydric stress management during dry weather conditions were simulated with the HYDRUS 2D software. Results have shown that maintaining the water table approximately at 60 cm provides optimal results for most of the studied soils. However, under certain extreme climatic conditions, the drainage system design may not allow maintaining optimal hydric conditions for cranberry growth. The long-term benefit of this study has potential to advance the design of drainage/sub-irrigation systems
Abstract. The installation of drainage systems can cause anthropic evolution of the soil profile.... more Abstract. The installation of drainage systems can cause anthropic evolution of the soil profile. Natural consolidation, filtration and clogging of soil pores by colloidal particles may be accelerated by water management practices, such as irrigation, drainage and flooding, and could reduce the drainage capacity of the soil. X-ray tomography can be used to describe soil hydraulic properties at the small scale and to study several physical soil processes, especially those related to the migration of colloidal particles and consolidation. Wavelet analyses can decompose an observed time series of soil matric potential into various components that can be used to determine the temporal periodicity of drainage and recharge. The main objective of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal variability in the hydraulic properties of a sandy soil and the time series of matric potential during repeated cycles of drainage and recharge from the bottom of a soil profile using a medical X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner and wavelet transforms. A soil column laboratory experiment was set up to monitor the pressure head, water inflow and outflow, and the movement of the tracers KBr and ZrO2. Tomographic scans have been used to analyze the spatiotemporal variability in the soil hydraulic properties. The results show that repeated drainage and recharge cycles greatly affect the evolution of soil hydraulic properties by reducing drainage and capillary capacities. Knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for this human-induced soil genesis is important for water management in agricultural systems. This information may allow prediction of soil evolution according to soil texture, drainage system design and water management, thereby anticipating and possibly controlling problems related to soil hydrodynamics
The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of subsurface drainage and soi... more The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of subsurface drainage and soil properties on the hydrological behaviour of a headwater micro-watershed located in the Bras d'Henri watershed, Quebec (Canada). The studied 2.4-km² micro-watershed is characterized by intensive livestock production supported by forages and annual crops such as corn grain or soybeans. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's WEBs watersheds (Water Evaluation of Beneficial management practices). Hydrometeorological monitoring has shown that soil properties and subsurface drainage could negatively affect the expected behaviour of beneficial management practices at the watershed scale. Therefore there is a need to understand the influence of these properties on hydrology and one way to study this problem is to set up a physicallybased hydrological modelling investigation. Specifically, this project focuses on evaluating the ability of two or three coupled hydrological models (surface flow/subsurface flow) to simulate flows at the micro-watershed outlet and water table depth fluctuations while quantifying the surface and subsurface contributions to flows. The models under consideration are: CATHY (
A root water-extraction module was incorporated into CATHY, a coupled surface-subsurface flow, ph... more A root water-extraction module was incorporated into CATHY, a coupled surface-subsurface flow, physically-based, distributed hydrological model, to account for transpiration of annual crops. Four empirical vertical root-density distribution models were used to evaluate the effect of plant transpiration on tile-drain flow and edge-of-field flow. Model 1 uses a uniform distribution for the entire root zone; Model 2, a nonlinear root density distribution function; and Models 3 and 4, two configurations of exponential root water uptake distribution. When comparing simulation results with and without a root water extraction module, we observed that Model 1 produces reasonable reductions in tile-drain and edge-of-field flows. Further analysis indicates that edge-of-field flow is more affected by the root water extraction module than tile-drain flow. Therefore, as the unsaturated zone increases, edge-of-field flow decreases more than tile-drain flow.
Abstract: Over the last few years, advanced knowledge in cranberry field hydrology has lead to su... more Abstract: Over the last few years, advanced knowledge in cranberry field hydrology has lead to substantial increase in production. Much of this progress has come from knowing the relationship between drainage capacity and soil profile properties. However, drainage problems can occur and an appropriate diagnosis remains essential for making recommendations adapted to each soil type. The objectives of this study were to (1) classify soil profiles under cranberry production and (2) identify diagnostic variables related to drainage capacity. To diagnose and classify drainage capacity, profiles were characterized for many physicochemical and hydraulic properties using a cluster analysis. Results indicate that a criterion can be defined and used to assess drainage capacity with respect to a soil classification scheme based on physicochemical and hydraulic properties. The methodology developed in this study provides a framework to identify local drainage problem and solutions based on soil characteristics.
This paper presents the first application of the event-based MHYDAS-Erosion model to a small agri... more This paper presents the first application of the event-based MHYDAS-Erosion model to a small agricultural watershed under temperate climate conditions (Quebec, Canada). Simulation results based on observed and synthetic rainfall events revealed a bimodal behaviour of sediment yield. During high-intensity rainfall events, most of the sediments reaching the watershed outlet originate from cropland. Meanwhile, during low-intensity events, most of the sediments come from the drainage network. Furthermore, simulation results show that implementation of 5-m and 20-m wide vegetated filters throughout the watershed or at the edge of the most problematic fields (4% of the total fields) could reduce soil loss by 52% and 31%, respectively. The modeling framework could be used for the design and location of beneficial management practices such as grass strips and
Hydrological Sciences Journal-journal Des Sciences Hydrologiques, Jul 4, 2014
ABSTRACT Une étude d’analyse de sensibilité globale d’une application du modèle hydrologique CATH... more ABSTRACT Une étude d’analyse de sensibilité globale d’une application du modèle hydrologique CATHY (CATchment HYdrology) sur un bassin sous influence de drains agricoles a été réalisée en utilisant les méthodes Morris, FAST99 (Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test) et Sobol2002. Ces analyses ont permis d’identifier les paramètres les plus sensibles sur : (a) l’écoulement aux drains et (b) les flux sortant du micro-bassin agricole Bras d’Henri (Québec, Canada). Des 24 paramètres évalués par la méthode de Morris, les neuf et huit paramètres ayant été respectivement très influents sur les deux variables de sortie, ont été analysés par les méthodes FAST99 et Sobol2002. Il s’ensuit que la conductivité hydraulique horizontale à saturation dans les couches sous les drains est la propriété hydrodynamique la plus influente sur les deux variables de sortie. Cette étude démontre que des efforts devraient être portés sur la caractérisation de l’anisotropie du sol, car celle-ci n’est pas à négliger lors d’une modélisation hydrologique tridimensionnelle. Editeur Z.W. KundzewiczCitation Muma, M., Gumiere, S.J., et Rousseau, A.N., 2014. Analyses de sensibilité globale du modèle CATHY aux propriétés hydrodynamiques du sol d’un micro-bassin agricole drainé. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (8), 1606–1623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.843778
3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with... more 3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with the basic objective of checking whether the model could reproduce the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on stream flows and soil water storage. The model was also used to further our understanding of the impact of soil hydrodynamic properties on watershed hydrology. Flows simulated by CATHY were consistent with traditional subsurface drainage approaches and, for wet years, flows at the outlet of the study watershed corroborated well with observed data. Temporal storage variation analyses illustrated that flows depended not only on the amount of rainfall, but also on its distribution throughout the year. Subsurface agricultural drainage increased base and total flows, and decreased peak flows. Hydrograph separation using simulated results indicated that exfiltration was the most dominant process; peak flows were largely characterized by overland flow; and subsurface drain flow variations were low.
In regions where soils are seasonally or perennially wet, subsurface drainage represents an essen... more In regions where soils are seasonally or perennially wet, subsurface drainage represents an essential water management practice. Two hydrological models with different modeling approaches as well as different dimensional and spatial scales, DRAINMOD (1D, lumped and field-scale) and CATHY (3D, spatially distributed and watershed-scale), were compared in terms of their performance to predict tile-drain flow and to simulate evapotranspiration (ET) under field conditions. Two metrics were defined to assess the capacity of the models to represent the soil water dynamics: relative errors in simulating peak flow and drainage volume. Using different hydraulic conductivity scenarios, both models provided similar results. For the total predicted/observed tile-drain flow comparison, the two models yielded very similar results. In terms of coefficient of determination (R 2) and Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), their performances were low in simulating tile-drain flows for dry periods (low observed tile-drain flow). During periods with higher observed tile-drain flow, the performance of both models was good (R 2 > 0.75 and NSE mostly > 0.60), but DRAINMOD produced better results than CATHY did. The two models had similar ET values (R 2 > 0.80). Regarding the impact of the hydraulic conductivity of each soil layer on subsurface drainage outflow, this study showed that the soil layer below the tile-drain system was the most influential for the two models. Dans les régions où les sols sont saisonnièrement ou perpétuellement humides, le drainage souterrain agricole représente une pratique essentielle de gestion de l'eau. Deux modèles hydrologiques avec différentes approches de modélisation ainsi que différentes échelles dimensionnelles et spatiales, DRAINMOD (1D, localisé et à l'échelle du champ) et CATHY (3D, spatialement distribué et à l'échelle de bassin versant), ont été comparés en fonction de leur performance pour prédire l'écoulement aux drains et à simuler le processus d'évapotranspiration dans des conditions de terrain. Deux mesures ont été définies pour évaluer la capacité des modèles à représenter la dynamique de l'eau dans le sol: les erreurs relatives à simuler le débit de pointe et le volume de drainage. En utilisant différents scénarios de conductivité hydraulique, les deux modèles ont fourni des résultats similaires. Vis-à-vis de la comparaison d'écoulement total drainé simulé/ observé, les deux modèles ont donné des résultats très similaires. En termes de coefficient de détermination (R 2) et le coefficient d'efficacité de Nash-Sutcliffe (NSE), pendant les périodes sèches (faible débit observé aux drains souterrains) leurs performances ont été faibles en simulant l'écoulement aux drains souterrains. Pendant les périodes d'écoulement observé aux drains plus élevé, la performance des deux modèles était bonne (R 2 > 0,75 et NSE généralement > 0,60), mais DRAINMOD produit de meilleurs résultats que CATHY. Les deux modèles ont bien simulé le processus d'évapotranspiration (R 2 > 0,80). En ce qui concerne l'impact de la conductivité hydraulique de chaque couche de sol sur l'écoulement sortant de drains souterrains, cette étude a montré que la couche de sol sous le système des drains souterrains était la plus influente pour les deux modèles. When subsurface drains are in place, the drainable water fraction of the soil profile is converted to shortterm (detention) storage over a period of few hours, days or weeks, depending on a number of variables. These include tile drain size, depth and spacing, soil type, outlet size/condition, and whether or not under continuous rainfall or snowmelt conditions. When drainable water is removed from the soil profile, infiltration can then occur. This is due to available soil pore space allowing water that would otherwise be stored in the surface depressions to infiltrate and have a direct pathway to downstream flow via the subsurface drains (BTSAC 2012).
The profound impact of soil temperature (TS) on crucial environmental processes, including water ... more The profound impact of soil temperature (TS) on crucial environmental processes, including water infiltration, subsurface movement, plant growth, and its influence on land–atmosphere dynamics, cannot be undermined. While satellite and land surface model-based data are valuable in data-sparse areas, they necessitate innovative solutions to bridge gaps and overcome temporal delays arising from their dependence on atmospheric and hydro–meteorological factors. This research introduces a viable technique to address the lag in the Famine Early Warning Network Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS). Notably, this approach exhibits versatility, proving highly effective in analyzing datasets characterized by significant seasonal trends, and its application holds immense value in watershed-scaled hydrological research. Leveraging the enhanced state-space (SS) method for forecasting in the FLDAS, this technique harnesses TS datasets collected over time at various depths (0–10 cm, 10–40 cm, and ...
This article proposes an analytical strategy that combines X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Con... more This article proposes an analytical strategy that combines X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) analysis as an alternative solution to long-term experiments that seek to investigate spatiotemporal variations in soil hydraulic properties induced by drainage and recharge cycles. We conducted CT scanning on 100-cm-high column filled with two types of sandy soil in a laboratory environment to simulate, over the period of a month, the equivalent of nearly 40 years of drainage/recharge cycles akin to agricultural fields adopting subirrigation as water management practices. We also monitored soil matric potential, water inflow and outflow, as well as movement of tracers. This later consists in zirconium oxide (ZrO2) that we added to the top 20 cm of each soil column. The results revealed that drainage and recharge cycles greatly affect the evolution of soil hydraulic properties at different locations along the soil profile by reducing drainage and capillary...
It is increasingly recognized that water scarcity, rather than a lack of arable land, will be the... more It is increasingly recognized that water scarcity, rather than a lack of arable land, will be the major constraint to increase agricultural production over the next few decades. Therefore, water represents a unique agricultural asset to drive agricultural sustainability. However, its planning, management and usage are often influenced by a mix of interdependent economic, engineering, social, hydrologic, environmental, and even political factors. Such a complex interdependency suggests that a sociotechnical approach to water resources management, a subject of the field of Hydroinformatics, represents a viable path forward to achieve sustainable agriculture. Thus, this paper presents an overview of the intersection between hydroinformatics and agriculture to introduce a new research field called agricultural hydroinformatics. In addition, it proposes a general conceptual framework taking into account the distinctive features associated with the sociotechnical dimension of hydroinforma...
Real-time monitoring of soil matric potential has now become a common practice for precision irri... more Real-time monitoring of soil matric potential has now become a common practice for precision irrigation management. Some crops, such as cranberries, are susceptible to both water and anoxic stresses. Excessive variations in soil matric potential in the root zone may reduce plant transpiration, due to either saturated or dry soil conditions, thereby reducing productivity. A timely supply of the right amount of water is, therefore, fundamental for efficient irrigation management. In this paper, we compare the capabilities of a machine learning-based model and a physics-based model to predict soil matric potential in the root zone. The machine learning model is a random forest algorithm, while the physics-based model is a two-dimensional solver of Richards equation (HYDRUS 2D). After training and calibration on a dataset collected in a cranberry field located in Québec (Canada), the performance of the two models is evaluated for 30 different time frames of 72-h soil matric potential forecasts. The results highlight that both models can accurately forecast the soil matric potential in the root zone. The machine learning-based model can achieve better performance when compared to the physics-based model, but forecasting accuracy decreases rapidly toward the end of the 72-h lead time, while the error for the Richards equation-based model does not increase with time and remain small compared to the typical measurement error.
ABSTRACT Patterned peatlands occupy a large portion of the Northen boreal region of Quebec, Canad... more ABSTRACT Patterned peatlands occupy a large portion of the Northen boreal region of Quebec, Canada. An obvious characteristic of peatlands is their great capacity to retain water. Indeed, a peatland may contain more than 70% of its volume in water. However, the rapid decrease of permeability with depth in peat soils suggests that a major part of the aquifer does not substantially contribute to the overall water movement and ensuing outflow. Given the current state of knowledge about these ecosystems, three questions can be formulated: (i) How does the water flow in patterned peatlands (piston flow, surface runoff)? (ii) Is there any mixing of water in the pools that may change the isotopic signal? (iii) Can the isotopic signal help identifying the origin of the water? To answer these questions, natural tracers (2H, 18O, DOC) and physical parameters (conductivity, temperature) are monitored in a patterned fen located in the Northern boreal region of Quebec. Preliminary results show that the summer flow is superficial and corresponds to a "piston flow"; and there is very little mixing of the water in the pools. However, because the isotopic signal is not uniform, it is difficult to separate the hydrograph and, thus, determine the various origins of the water.
3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with... more 3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with the basic objective of checking whether the model could reproduce the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on stream flows and soil water storage. The model was also used to further our understanding of the impact of soil hydrodynamic properties on watershed hydrology. Flows simulated by CATHY were consistent with traditional subsurface drainage approaches and, for wet years, flows at the outlet of the study watershed corroborated well with observed data. Temporal storage variation analyses illustrated that flows depended not only on the amount of rainfall, but also on its distribution throughout the year. Subsurface agricultural drainage increased base and total flows, and decreased peak flows. Hydrograph separation using simulated results indicated that exfiltration was the most dominant process; peak flows were largely characterized by overland flow; and subsurface drain flow variations were low.
Abstract. In North America, cranberry production is on the rise. Since 2005, land area dedicated ... more Abstract. In North America, cranberry production is on the rise. Since 2005, land area dedicated to cranberry doubled, principally in Canada. Recent studies have shown that sub-irrigation could lead to improvements in yield, water use efficiency and pumping energy requirements compared to conventional sprinkler irrigation. However, the experimental determination of the optimal water table level of each production site may be expensive and time-consuming. The primary objective of this study is to optimize the water table level as a function of typical soil properties, and climatic conditions observed in major production areas using a numerical modeling approach. The second objective is to evaluate the impacts of projected climatic conditions on water management of cranberry fields. To that end, cranberry-specific management operations such as harvest flooding, rapid drainage following heavy rainfall, or hydric stress management during dry weather conditions were simulated with the HYDRUS 2D software. Results have shown that maintaining the water table approximately at 60 cm provides optimal results for most of the studied soils. However, under certain extreme climatic conditions, the drainage system design may not allow maintaining optimal hydric conditions for cranberry growth. The long-term benefit of this study has potential to advance the design of drainage/sub-irrigation systems
Abstract. The installation of drainage systems can cause anthropic evolution of the soil profile.... more Abstract. The installation of drainage systems can cause anthropic evolution of the soil profile. Natural consolidation, filtration and clogging of soil pores by colloidal particles may be accelerated by water management practices, such as irrigation, drainage and flooding, and could reduce the drainage capacity of the soil. X-ray tomography can be used to describe soil hydraulic properties at the small scale and to study several physical soil processes, especially those related to the migration of colloidal particles and consolidation. Wavelet analyses can decompose an observed time series of soil matric potential into various components that can be used to determine the temporal periodicity of drainage and recharge. The main objective of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal variability in the hydraulic properties of a sandy soil and the time series of matric potential during repeated cycles of drainage and recharge from the bottom of a soil profile using a medical X-ray computerized tomography (CT) scanner and wavelet transforms. A soil column laboratory experiment was set up to monitor the pressure head, water inflow and outflow, and the movement of the tracers KBr and ZrO2. Tomographic scans have been used to analyze the spatiotemporal variability in the soil hydraulic properties. The results show that repeated drainage and recharge cycles greatly affect the evolution of soil hydraulic properties by reducing drainage and capillary capacities. Knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for this human-induced soil genesis is important for water management in agricultural systems. This information may allow prediction of soil evolution according to soil texture, drainage system design and water management, thereby anticipating and possibly controlling problems related to soil hydrodynamics
The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of subsurface drainage and soi... more The objective of this study is to quantitatively assess the impact of subsurface drainage and soil properties on the hydrological behaviour of a headwater micro-watershed located in the Bras d'Henri watershed, Quebec (Canada). The studied 2.4-km² micro-watershed is characterized by intensive livestock production supported by forages and annual crops such as corn grain or soybeans. It is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's WEBs watersheds (Water Evaluation of Beneficial management practices). Hydrometeorological monitoring has shown that soil properties and subsurface drainage could negatively affect the expected behaviour of beneficial management practices at the watershed scale. Therefore there is a need to understand the influence of these properties on hydrology and one way to study this problem is to set up a physicallybased hydrological modelling investigation. Specifically, this project focuses on evaluating the ability of two or three coupled hydrological models (surface flow/subsurface flow) to simulate flows at the micro-watershed outlet and water table depth fluctuations while quantifying the surface and subsurface contributions to flows. The models under consideration are: CATHY (
A root water-extraction module was incorporated into CATHY, a coupled surface-subsurface flow, ph... more A root water-extraction module was incorporated into CATHY, a coupled surface-subsurface flow, physically-based, distributed hydrological model, to account for transpiration of annual crops. Four empirical vertical root-density distribution models were used to evaluate the effect of plant transpiration on tile-drain flow and edge-of-field flow. Model 1 uses a uniform distribution for the entire root zone; Model 2, a nonlinear root density distribution function; and Models 3 and 4, two configurations of exponential root water uptake distribution. When comparing simulation results with and without a root water extraction module, we observed that Model 1 produces reasonable reductions in tile-drain and edge-of-field flows. Further analysis indicates that edge-of-field flow is more affected by the root water extraction module than tile-drain flow. Therefore, as the unsaturated zone increases, edge-of-field flow decreases more than tile-drain flow.
Abstract: Over the last few years, advanced knowledge in cranberry field hydrology has lead to su... more Abstract: Over the last few years, advanced knowledge in cranberry field hydrology has lead to substantial increase in production. Much of this progress has come from knowing the relationship between drainage capacity and soil profile properties. However, drainage problems can occur and an appropriate diagnosis remains essential for making recommendations adapted to each soil type. The objectives of this study were to (1) classify soil profiles under cranberry production and (2) identify diagnostic variables related to drainage capacity. To diagnose and classify drainage capacity, profiles were characterized for many physicochemical and hydraulic properties using a cluster analysis. Results indicate that a criterion can be defined and used to assess drainage capacity with respect to a soil classification scheme based on physicochemical and hydraulic properties. The methodology developed in this study provides a framework to identify local drainage problem and solutions based on soil characteristics.
This paper presents the first application of the event-based MHYDAS-Erosion model to a small agri... more This paper presents the first application of the event-based MHYDAS-Erosion model to a small agricultural watershed under temperate climate conditions (Quebec, Canada). Simulation results based on observed and synthetic rainfall events revealed a bimodal behaviour of sediment yield. During high-intensity rainfall events, most of the sediments reaching the watershed outlet originate from cropland. Meanwhile, during low-intensity events, most of the sediments come from the drainage network. Furthermore, simulation results show that implementation of 5-m and 20-m wide vegetated filters throughout the watershed or at the edge of the most problematic fields (4% of the total fields) could reduce soil loss by 52% and 31%, respectively. The modeling framework could be used for the design and location of beneficial management practices such as grass strips and
Hydrological Sciences Journal-journal Des Sciences Hydrologiques, Jul 4, 2014
ABSTRACT Une étude d’analyse de sensibilité globale d’une application du modèle hydrologique CATH... more ABSTRACT Une étude d’analyse de sensibilité globale d’une application du modèle hydrologique CATHY (CATchment HYdrology) sur un bassin sous influence de drains agricoles a été réalisée en utilisant les méthodes Morris, FAST99 (Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test) et Sobol2002. Ces analyses ont permis d’identifier les paramètres les plus sensibles sur : (a) l’écoulement aux drains et (b) les flux sortant du micro-bassin agricole Bras d’Henri (Québec, Canada). Des 24 paramètres évalués par la méthode de Morris, les neuf et huit paramètres ayant été respectivement très influents sur les deux variables de sortie, ont été analysés par les méthodes FAST99 et Sobol2002. Il s’ensuit que la conductivité hydraulique horizontale à saturation dans les couches sous les drains est la propriété hydrodynamique la plus influente sur les deux variables de sortie. Cette étude démontre que des efforts devraient être portés sur la caractérisation de l’anisotropie du sol, car celle-ci n’est pas à négliger lors d’une modélisation hydrologique tridimensionnelle. Editeur Z.W. KundzewiczCitation Muma, M., Gumiere, S.J., et Rousseau, A.N., 2014. Analyses de sensibilité globale du modèle CATHY aux propriétés hydrodynamiques du sol d’un micro-bassin agricole drainé. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (8), 1606–1623. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2013.843778
3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with... more 3D hydrological modeling was performed, using CATHY (acronym for CATchment HYdrology model), with the basic objective of checking whether the model could reproduce the effects of subsurface agricultural drainage on stream flows and soil water storage. The model was also used to further our understanding of the impact of soil hydrodynamic properties on watershed hydrology. Flows simulated by CATHY were consistent with traditional subsurface drainage approaches and, for wet years, flows at the outlet of the study watershed corroborated well with observed data. Temporal storage variation analyses illustrated that flows depended not only on the amount of rainfall, but also on its distribution throughout the year. Subsurface agricultural drainage increased base and total flows, and decreased peak flows. Hydrograph separation using simulated results indicated that exfiltration was the most dominant process; peak flows were largely characterized by overland flow; and subsurface drain flow variations were low.
In regions where soils are seasonally or perennially wet, subsurface drainage represents an essen... more In regions where soils are seasonally or perennially wet, subsurface drainage represents an essential water management practice. Two hydrological models with different modeling approaches as well as different dimensional and spatial scales, DRAINMOD (1D, lumped and field-scale) and CATHY (3D, spatially distributed and watershed-scale), were compared in terms of their performance to predict tile-drain flow and to simulate evapotranspiration (ET) under field conditions. Two metrics were defined to assess the capacity of the models to represent the soil water dynamics: relative errors in simulating peak flow and drainage volume. Using different hydraulic conductivity scenarios, both models provided similar results. For the total predicted/observed tile-drain flow comparison, the two models yielded very similar results. In terms of coefficient of determination (R 2) and Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE), their performances were low in simulating tile-drain flows for dry periods (low observed tile-drain flow). During periods with higher observed tile-drain flow, the performance of both models was good (R 2 > 0.75 and NSE mostly > 0.60), but DRAINMOD produced better results than CATHY did. The two models had similar ET values (R 2 > 0.80). Regarding the impact of the hydraulic conductivity of each soil layer on subsurface drainage outflow, this study showed that the soil layer below the tile-drain system was the most influential for the two models. Dans les régions où les sols sont saisonnièrement ou perpétuellement humides, le drainage souterrain agricole représente une pratique essentielle de gestion de l'eau. Deux modèles hydrologiques avec différentes approches de modélisation ainsi que différentes échelles dimensionnelles et spatiales, DRAINMOD (1D, localisé et à l'échelle du champ) et CATHY (3D, spatialement distribué et à l'échelle de bassin versant), ont été comparés en fonction de leur performance pour prédire l'écoulement aux drains et à simuler le processus d'évapotranspiration dans des conditions de terrain. Deux mesures ont été définies pour évaluer la capacité des modèles à représenter la dynamique de l'eau dans le sol: les erreurs relatives à simuler le débit de pointe et le volume de drainage. En utilisant différents scénarios de conductivité hydraulique, les deux modèles ont fourni des résultats similaires. Vis-à-vis de la comparaison d'écoulement total drainé simulé/ observé, les deux modèles ont donné des résultats très similaires. En termes de coefficient de détermination (R 2) et le coefficient d'efficacité de Nash-Sutcliffe (NSE), pendant les périodes sèches (faible débit observé aux drains souterrains) leurs performances ont été faibles en simulant l'écoulement aux drains souterrains. Pendant les périodes d'écoulement observé aux drains plus élevé, la performance des deux modèles était bonne (R 2 > 0,75 et NSE généralement > 0,60), mais DRAINMOD produit de meilleurs résultats que CATHY. Les deux modèles ont bien simulé le processus d'évapotranspiration (R 2 > 0,80). En ce qui concerne l'impact de la conductivité hydraulique de chaque couche de sol sur l'écoulement sortant de drains souterrains, cette étude a montré que la couche de sol sous le système des drains souterrains était la plus influente pour les deux modèles. When subsurface drains are in place, the drainable water fraction of the soil profile is converted to shortterm (detention) storage over a period of few hours, days or weeks, depending on a number of variables. These include tile drain size, depth and spacing, soil type, outlet size/condition, and whether or not under continuous rainfall or snowmelt conditions. When drainable water is removed from the soil profile, infiltration can then occur. This is due to available soil pore space allowing water that would otherwise be stored in the surface depressions to infiltrate and have a direct pathway to downstream flow via the subsurface drains (BTSAC 2012).
The profound impact of soil temperature (TS) on crucial environmental processes, including water ... more The profound impact of soil temperature (TS) on crucial environmental processes, including water infiltration, subsurface movement, plant growth, and its influence on land–atmosphere dynamics, cannot be undermined. While satellite and land surface model-based data are valuable in data-sparse areas, they necessitate innovative solutions to bridge gaps and overcome temporal delays arising from their dependence on atmospheric and hydro–meteorological factors. This research introduces a viable technique to address the lag in the Famine Early Warning Network Land Data Assimilation System (FLDAS). Notably, this approach exhibits versatility, proving highly effective in analyzing datasets characterized by significant seasonal trends, and its application holds immense value in watershed-scaled hydrological research. Leveraging the enhanced state-space (SS) method for forecasting in the FLDAS, this technique harnesses TS datasets collected over time at various depths (0–10 cm, 10–40 cm, and ...
This article proposes an analytical strategy that combines X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Con... more This article proposes an analytical strategy that combines X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) analysis as an alternative solution to long-term experiments that seek to investigate spatiotemporal variations in soil hydraulic properties induced by drainage and recharge cycles. We conducted CT scanning on 100-cm-high column filled with two types of sandy soil in a laboratory environment to simulate, over the period of a month, the equivalent of nearly 40 years of drainage/recharge cycles akin to agricultural fields adopting subirrigation as water management practices. We also monitored soil matric potential, water inflow and outflow, as well as movement of tracers. This later consists in zirconium oxide (ZrO2) that we added to the top 20 cm of each soil column. The results revealed that drainage and recharge cycles greatly affect the evolution of soil hydraulic properties at different locations along the soil profile by reducing drainage and capillary...
It is increasingly recognized that water scarcity, rather than a lack of arable land, will be the... more It is increasingly recognized that water scarcity, rather than a lack of arable land, will be the major constraint to increase agricultural production over the next few decades. Therefore, water represents a unique agricultural asset to drive agricultural sustainability. However, its planning, management and usage are often influenced by a mix of interdependent economic, engineering, social, hydrologic, environmental, and even political factors. Such a complex interdependency suggests that a sociotechnical approach to water resources management, a subject of the field of Hydroinformatics, represents a viable path forward to achieve sustainable agriculture. Thus, this paper presents an overview of the intersection between hydroinformatics and agriculture to introduce a new research field called agricultural hydroinformatics. In addition, it proposes a general conceptual framework taking into account the distinctive features associated with the sociotechnical dimension of hydroinforma...
Real-time monitoring of soil matric potential has now become a common practice for precision irri... more Real-time monitoring of soil matric potential has now become a common practice for precision irrigation management. Some crops, such as cranberries, are susceptible to both water and anoxic stresses. Excessive variations in soil matric potential in the root zone may reduce plant transpiration, due to either saturated or dry soil conditions, thereby reducing productivity. A timely supply of the right amount of water is, therefore, fundamental for efficient irrigation management. In this paper, we compare the capabilities of a machine learning-based model and a physics-based model to predict soil matric potential in the root zone. The machine learning model is a random forest algorithm, while the physics-based model is a two-dimensional solver of Richards equation (HYDRUS 2D). After training and calibration on a dataset collected in a cranberry field located in Québec (Canada), the performance of the two models is evaluated for 30 different time frames of 72-h soil matric potential forecasts. The results highlight that both models can accurately forecast the soil matric potential in the root zone. The machine learning-based model can achieve better performance when compared to the physics-based model, but forecasting accuracy decreases rapidly toward the end of the 72-h lead time, while the error for the Richards equation-based model does not increase with time and remain small compared to the typical measurement error.
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Papers by Alain Rousseau